Electroresponsive latching mechanism



March 21, 1933. H. R. CRAGO ELECTRORE'SPONSIVE LATCHING KECHANISI Filed April 25. 1930 2% f Inventor- Harry R. Cragq His Attorney.

Patented Mar. 21, 1933 PATENT OFFICE HARRY R. CRAGO, OF

SOHENEOTADY, NEW YORK,

ASSIGNOB TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ELEOTBOBESPONSIVE LATCHING MECHANISM Application filed April 25,

My invention relates to clectroresponsive latching mechanism, particularly for electrically operated switchesj In the usual forms of electrically operated circuit controlling devices, the switch member is biased to the open position and is closed by means of an electro-magnet. In many cases after the switch member has been closed, a latch is provided to retain the switch against its bias in the closed sition. Ordinarily springs also are carrie by the switch member adjacent the contacts thereof for insuring good contact. These springs act with the biasing force and this results in a heavy load or pressure exerted upon the latch mechanism. Thus it is necessary to use a very large electroresponsive releasing means to overcome the load on the late mechanism.

Another difficulty which is present in the circliit controlling devices now in use is that when the electromagnet for closing circuit controlling means is actuated it is sometimes deenergized before the latch has fully set to lock the circuit controlling member in closed position thus permitting the switch immediately to reopen.

It is an object of my invention to provide a latching mechanism for devices of the above character which may be tripped with no load exerted upon the latching mechanism.

It is another object of my invention to provide a latch which may be operated by means of a much smaller tripping magnet than heretofore used. 7

It is a further object of my invention to provide a means for maintaining the closing magnet energized until the latch has set.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is provided with a switch mechanism biased open and provided with the usual spring pressed contacts. An electromagnet when energized moves the switch to circuit closing positions. The switch member carries an element which cooperates with a latch, the latch engaging this element to maintain the switch member against its bias in closed position when it is moved to closed position by means of the closing magnet. A relay taining the closin 1880. Serial No. 447,388.

mechanism is provided, which is under the control of the latching mechanism, for mainmagnet energized until the latch has definitely set to hold the circuit closing member in circuit closing position. small electromagnet is provided for releasing the latch mechanism to permit the circuit closing member to return to the open position. A switch cooperates with the relay mechanism for energizing the releasing magnet and the closing magnet simultaneously. Thus the pressure exerted by the switch upon the latch mechanism is removed, thereby permitting the releasing magnet of the latch mechanism to move the latch to a released position without any load thereon. The releasing magnet and the closing magnet are deenergized simultaneously as the circuit controlling member moves to open position.

My invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 represents a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 shows the electrical connections for the e bodiment shown in Fig. 1;

3 shows a modification of my inven tion;

Fig. 4 shows the electrical connections for the modification shown in Fig. 3.

Referring in detail to Fig. 1, I provide a pivoted circuit controlling member 10 which is rotatably supported in the bracket or bearing 17 and upon which are mounted the movable contacts 11 and 12 pivotally supported in the members 13 and' 14. These contact members 11 and 12 cooperate with stationary contacts 11' and 12' and are urged into contact with the stationary contacts by means of the spring members 15 and 16 when the circuit closing member is in circuit closing position. At one end of the movable support 10 is rigidly mounted an armature 18 which cooperates with electromagnet 19 which electromagnet 19 when energized moves the circuit closing member to the circuit closing position. A stop member 20 is provided for limiting the movement of the armature 18 and hence the movement of the member 10 to the open position. Keyed to the other end of the supporting member 10 is an extension member 21 to the end of which is attached the member 21. The member 21 cooperates with the roller 23 of the latch 22 which is mounted pivotally as shown at 28 and which maintains the circuit closing member in closed position. A shim 24 is provided between the member 21 and member 21' to permit adjustment of the member 21 so that the position of 21' may be adjusted to permit the roller 23 to drop down into contact with the stop member 23 when the circuit controlling member is in circuit closing position. Resiliently mounted upon the extension 21 is the circuit controlling device 25 which cooperates with the contacts 26 and 27 for purposes to be later described. A releasin magnet 29 is pivotally connected at 31 to t e latch 22 by means of the link 30.

Mounted at the movable end of the latch 22 is a member 32 supporting a sprin 33 which cooperates with the member 34 o the circuit controlling device or relay which carries the circuit controlling members 35 and 36. These members 36 and 35 are slidably mounted upon the member 34 and the movement thereof is limited b means of collars 35' and 36' fastened to t e member 34. A collar member 34' has mounted on each side thereof springs for urging the members 35 and 36 into contact with the contact members 37 and 38 and 39 and 40 when the member 34 is moved by movement of the latch mechanism 22 to close either the upper or to close the lower pair of contacts carried upon the arms supported on the insulating base 41, it being understood that only one pair are closed at a time. The purpose of this device will be described below.

In Fig. 2 it will be seen that switches O and O are provided for energizing the various devices in the latching mechanism from the supply lines L and L When the circuit controlling member is in the open position as shown, the armature 18 is supported by the stop member 20. The latch mechanism is in its raised position and the circuit controlling member 35 closed across the upper contact of the relay device. In this position, the lower circuit controlling member 36 is raised and the lower contacts are opened. The circuit through the releasing magnet 29 1s 0 en as it can be seen that the circuit control ing member 25 supported by the extension 21 is out of contact with the contact members 26 and 27.

e operation is as follows. When the switch member C is closed, a circuit is completed from one side of the line L; through the switch C, the circuit controlling member 35. the closing magnet 19, back to the other side of the line L,. This energizes the coil 19 and causes the armature 18 to move toward the electromagnet 19 to close the circuit controlling member. As it does so, the member 25 is moved to close the contacts 26 and 27 to complete a circuit through the tripping coil 29. As the extension 21 moves in a counter-clockwise direction, upon rotation of the circuit controlling member to close contacts 11 and 12, the roller 23 cooperating with the member 21' finally rolls over the edge of this member and permits the latch 22 to fall against the stop member 23'. As it does so, the circuit controlling members 35 and 36 carried by the member 34 are permitted to drop, but it will be noted that the upper spring in contact with the collar 34' maintains the upper circuit controlling member in contact with the contacts 37 and 38 to maintain a closed circuit through the closing electroresponsive device 19 until the latch has definitely set at which time the latch drops and the circuit controlling member 35 moves away from the contacts 37 and 38. The circuit controlling member 36, however, closes a circuit across the contacts 39 and 40. It is understood, of course, that the push button switch C need be held down only long enough to cause a closing of the circuit controlling member. The latch then maintains the closed position. The springs 15 and 16 are compressed in the closed position and exert a back pressure on the latch.

To open the circuit controlling member, the push button switch 0 is closed. A circuit is then completed from one side of the line L, through the switch 0. the contact 27 circuit controlling member 25, contact 26, the releasing magnet 29. back to the other side of the line L,. At the same time a circuit is completed from one side of the line L, through the switch 0, the lower contacts of the relay mechanism by means of the circuit controlling member 36. through the closing electroresponsive coil 19. back to the other side of the line L It will thus be seen that both the closing magnet and the releasing magnet are simultaneously energized. This removes the pressure exerted by the extension 21 on the roller 23 of the latch mechanism which is caused by the springs 15 and 16. The electroresponsive device 29 lifts the latch 22. As the latch 22 is lifted. it lifts the member 34 carrying the circuit controlling members 35 and 36 and opens the lower pair of contacts which deenergizes the closing magnet 19 and permits the circuit controling member to move to the o en position. As the circuit controlling member moves to open position, the extension 21 carrying the circuit controlling member 25 moves awav from the contacts 26 and 27 thereby openin the circuit through the releasing magnet 29 and deenergizing the magnet 29. It will thus be seen that all pressure is removed from the the circuit controlling member in is the same as that shown in Fig. 1 and is supported on the rotatable member 50 which supports at one end thereof the armature 52 which cooperates with the closing magnet 51 to move the circuit controlling lnember to closed position. Mounted at the other on of the sup orting member 50 is the member 53 keyed tiiereto provided with the teeth 53' and 54. prises a circular member 55 provided with a groove or notch 56 with which the tooth 53' cooperates. The member 55 is rotatably mounted and is operatively connected to the releasing magnet 57 by means of the link 59 p f the SWltCll 0', through which is connected to the armature 58 o the releasing magnet. Rigidlysupported by the circular member 55 is the post member 60 which supports the member 61 and moves it in a vertical direction. The member 61 supports slidably thereon the circuit controlling members 63, 64 and which cooperate respectively with the upper, lower and middle pair of contact members to complete circuits which will be described later. The member 61 is urged in a vertical direction by means of the spring 62 and assists in locking the latch. The collars 63', 64, 65' and 66 provide stops for the circuit controlling meglibers and the springs cooperating therewit In Fig. 4, the supply lines L and L, supply the energy for operating the latching mechanism. The switches C and O are for the purpose of closing and opening the circuit controlling member.

The 0 eration is as follows. When the switch is closed, a circuit is completed from one side of the line L.,, through the switch C, the upper contacts cooperating with the circuit controlling member 63, through the closing magnet 51, to the other side of the line L This causes the armature 52 to move to close the circuit controlling member. As the armature 52 moves to the closed position, it rotates the member 53 which in turn rotates the circular member 55 to lock the latch mechanism. As the circular member 55 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the member 61 is caused to move in an upward direction. The spring cooperating with the circuit controlling member 63 maintains the upper contact closed until the latch has been set at which time the contacts are opened to deenergize the closing magnet 51. As the circular member 55 rotates in a clockwise direction, the tooth 53' moves out of engagement with the groove 56. The spring 62 through post 60 then causes a further rotation of the circular member 55 to lock the member 53 against backward rotation. As

d switch 0' The latch member in this case com-,

the member 61 is moved to its upper limit, the contacts closed by the member 63 are opened when the circuit controlling member 63 comes into contact with the collar 63' as it moves upwardly with the member 61. This results in the decnergization of the closing magnet 51 and the circuit controlling member is then maintained in the closed position by means of the latch mechanism.

To open the circuit controlling member, a is closed. This completes a circuit from one side of the line L. through the switch, through the lower pair of contacts by means of the circuit controlling member 65, the closing magnet 51, to the other side of the line L, thus removing the pressure exerted by the resilient means from the latch mechanism. At the same time a circuit is comleted from one side of the line L, through the middle pair of contacts by means of the circuit controlling member 64, the releasing magnet 57 and to the other side of the line L The releasing magnet 57 upon being energized rotates the circular member 55 in a counter-clockwise direction. As the circular member 55 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, the member 61 is moved in a downward direction, opening switch 65 and thus the circuit through the closing magnet 51 at the time that slot 56 reaches a position for the tooth 53' to reengage the same. On continued rotation of the circular member 55, member 61 moves further to 0 en switch 64 and the circuit through the releasing magnet 57. Thus both magnets are deenergized as the circuit controlling member returns to open osition. It will thus be seen that in this modification also, the pressure is removed from the latch mechanism to permit easy tripping thereof when the circuit controlling member is moved to the open position.

As has been pointed out above by means of the structure set forth in the specification, smaller tripping magnets than are now used can be utilized in tripping the magnets. Since the "strain and pressure is removed from the latch, the latch itself has a longer life and thus requires fewer replacements. than is now necessary. For maintaining the closing magnet energized until the latch has shut, the latch is made positive in action and will not permit any undesirable operation of the circuit controlling mechanism.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated and described herein has been selected for the purpose of clearly setting forth the principes involved. It will be apparent, however. that the invention is susceptible of being modified to meet the different conditions encountered in its use and I therefore a m to cover by the appended claims all modifications within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In combination, a movable member biased to one position, latching means for holding the member against its bias u on operation thereof to another position. e ectroresponsive means for inde ndently holding the member against its bias in said other position and means for releasing said latching means while said member is being held by said electro-responsive means a ainst its ias and for deenergizing said e ectro-responsive means after said movable member has been released from said latching means.

2. In a circuit controlling device, a circuit controlling means biased to one position, means for holding the circuit controlling means in another position against its bias, and electro-responsive means for moving said circuit controlling means in its other position against its bias to remove the load of said circuit controlling means from said holding means, means for releasing said holding means while said electro-responsive means is maintaining said circuit controlling means against its bias, means for deenergizing said electro-responsive means after said circuit controlling means is released from said holding means, and means for thereafter deenergizing said releasing means.

3. In a circuit controlling device, a circuit controllin means biased to one position, and movable to another position, means for moving said circuit controlling means to said other position, means for holdin the circuit controlling means against its bias in said other position, means for releasing said holding means to permit the circuit controlling means to return to said one position, and means for simultaneously energizing said releasing means and said means for moving said circuit controlling means to the other position to permit the release of said holding means ree of bias pressure from said circuit controlling means and means for deenergizing said means for moving said circuit controlling means after said circuit con trolling means has been released from said holding means.

4. In a circuit controlling device, a circuit controlling member movable between two positions and biased to one position, a means for moving said circuit controllin member from one position to another position, a means for holding said circuit controlling member against its bias in said other position, means for releasing said holding means to permit said circuit controllin member to return to said one position an means for energizing said first means when the circuit controlling member is in said other position to remove bias pressure from the holding means when the releasing means is ener 'zed to release the holdin means from this circuit controlling member, and means for deenergizing said first means after said circuit controlling member has been released from said holding means, and means for thereafter deenergizing said releasing means. 5. A circuit controlling device, comprising a circuit controlling member movable between two positions and biased to one position, an electroresponsive means for moving said circuit controlling member to the other position, said circuit controlling means against its bias in said other position, means for energizing said electroresponsive means and automatic means for deenergizing said electroresponsive means after said circuit controlling member is engaged by said retaining means, electro-responsive means for releasing said engaging and retaining means from sald circuit controlling member, means for ener izing said first electro-responsive means to rtfiieve the bias load from said engaging and retaining means when said second electro-responsive means is energized to release said engaging and controlling means, said automatic means deenergizing said first electro-responsive means after said circuit controlling member is released by said latch.

6. A circuit controlling device comprising a circuit controlling member movable between open and closed positions and biased a to the open position, an electroresponsive means for moving said circuit controlling member to closed position, a latch for engaging and holding said circuit controlling member against its bias in closed position, and means operable upon movement of said circuit controlling member to closed position for deenergizing said electroresponsive means after engagement of said circuit controlling member by said latch, electro-responsive means for releasing said latch from said circuit controlling member, means for energizing said first electro-responsive means to remove the bias load from said latch when said second electro-responsive means is energized to release said latch, said means operable upon movement of said circuit controlling member to closed position deenergizing said first electro-responsive device after said circuit controlling member is released by said latch, and other means for thereafter deenergizing said second electroresponsive means.

7. In a circuit controlling device, a circuit controlling member movable between two positions and biased to one position, an electrores onsive means for moving said circuit contro ling member to the other position, a latch for engaging and retaining said circuit controlling member against its bias in said other position, means for energizing said electroresponsive means, automatic means for deenergizing said electroresponsive means for engaging and retaining means when said latch engages said cirmeans for disengaging said latch from said circuit controlling member and means for energizing said first electroresponsive means when the circuit controlling member is in said other position to remove bias load of the circuit controlling member from said latch when said second electroresponsive means it energized to release said latch from said circuit controlling member, said automatic means deenergizing said first electro-responsive means after said circuit controlling member has been released from said latch.

8. A circuit controlling device comprising a circuit controlling member movable between two positions, and biased to one position, an electroresponsive means for moving said circuit controlling member from one position toanother position, an extension on said circuit controlling member, a latch for engaging said extension to retain said circuit controlling member against its bias in said other position, an electroresponsive means for releasing said latch from said extension, a plurality of circuit controllingcontacts actuated by said latch for opening and closing a circuit through said first electroresponsive means for energizing and deencrgizing the same, means for energizing said first electroresponsive means to close said circuit controlling member, said latch member actuating said contacts to open the circuit through sald first electroresponsive means when said latch engages said extension and means for energizing said first electroresponsive means to remove the bias pressure of said circuit controlling member from the latch when said releasing electroresponsive means is energized to release said latch from said extension, said contacts being actuated to decnergize said first eleetro-responsive means after said circuit controlling member is released from said latch, and means for thereafter deenergizing said second electroresponsive means.

9. A circuit controlling device com rising a circuit controlling member mova le between open and closed positions and biased to open position, an electroresponsive means for moving said circuit controlling member to closed position, an extension on said circuit controlling member, a latch f or enga ing said extension when said circuit contrp ling member is in closed position for retaining said circuit controlling member against its bias in closed position, an electroresponsive means independent of said first electroresponsive means for releasing said latch from said extension to permit said circu t controlling member to return to open position, contacts carried by said extension tor completing a circuit through said releasin electroresponsive releasing means to permit said means to be energized when said circuit controlling member is in closed position, and

automatic means for moving sai circuit controllin member in its closed position to remove the bias load of said circuit controlling member from said latch when said releasing electrores onsive means is energized to release the atch from said extension.

10. In a latching mechanism, a circuit controlling member movable between open and closed positions and biased to open position, an electroresponsive means for closing said circuit controlling member, an extension on said circuit controlling member, a plurality of movable contacts for o ening and closing the circuit through sai electroresponsive means, a latch for engaging said extension to hold said circuit controlling member against its bias in closed position and for controlling said movable contacts, means for energizing said electroresponsive means to move said circuit controlling member to closed position, said latch engaging said extension and actuating said contacts to demergize said electroresponsive means when said circuit controlling member is moved to closed position, an electroresponsive means for releasing said latch, contact means carried by said extension and completing a circuit through said releasing means when said circuit controlling member is in closed position to permit said releasing means to be energized and automatic means for energizing said first electroresponsive means when said circuit controlling means is in closed position to remove the bias load of said circuit controlling member from said latch when said releasing means is energized to release said latch, said first contacts being moved by said latch to deenergize said first electroresponsive means when said latch is tri ped to re-' lease said circuit controlling member.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 24th da of April, 1930.

I-i ARRY R. CRAGO.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,902,490. March 21, 1933.

HARRY R. CRAGO.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 8, claim 7, for "it" read "is"; line 62, claim 9, strike out the word "releasing" and insert the same after "said" first occurrence, in line 63; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of May, A. D. 1933.

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

M. J. Moore. 

